In-wall extension apparatus

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the apparatus and/or methods are described for routing power to a wall-mounted appliance, particularly for routing electrical wiring and audio/video cabling up through a wall to power and communicate with a wall-mounted presentation device. The apparatus and systems include input and output enclosures with wiring therebetween and mechanisms for mounting the input and output enclosures adjacent to pre-cut wall openings. There exists at least one electrical input connector, disposed within the input enclosure, configured to electrically couple with a power source, and at least one electrical output connector, disposed within the output enclosure, configured to electrically couple with a wall-mounted appliance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/226,929, filed 7 Sep. 2011, entitled “In-Wall ExtensionApparatus,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by referencefor all intents and purposes.

BACKGROUND

Electrical outlets are typically positioned very near the floors in ahome. However, it is becoming common for individuals to mountflat-screen and plasma televisions at eye level or several feet abovethe height of electrical outlets. Routing power and audio/video contentto such wall-mounted devices typically requires running unsightlyelectrical and audio/video cords between the mounted devices and one ormore electrical outlets or content sources, such as a set-top box orBlu-Ray™ player, below. Homeowners may be able to conceal danglingelectrical cords and audio/video cables by strategically positioningfurniture and/or wall hangings in the room, or they may opt to installan electrical outlet behind the television. However, making anelectrical connection or modifying the electrical system in a hometypically requires work and/or inspection by a licensed electrician,which can be costly and inconvenient. Many cost-conscious do-it-yourselfhomeowners may forgo hiring a licensed electrician and instead choose todrill holes in a wall and route an extension cord up inside the wall tothe wall-mounted device, but this practice is dangerous and in violationof the National Electric Code™ (NEC™). Heat may cause an extension cordinside of a wall or an enclosed space to dry out over time. Lackingproper ventilation, an in-wall extension cord may crack, expose barewires, create a point of electrical short, and spark. A system forsafely and easily running electrical power and audio/video cables up theinside of a wall to a wall-mounted appliance is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same number represents the same element or same type of element inall drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side-profile, in-wall view of an embodiment of anin-wall extension apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus having a singleelectrical input and output.

FIG. 3 illustrates an in-room perspective view of an embodiment of theapparatus and system components relative to one another when theapparatus is installed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart illustrating installation of theapparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates the placement of the output enclosure relative to awall opening in one embodiment of the system.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side profile of one of the output enclosures in oneembodiment of the system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a single-socket, dual-piece embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 8 illustrates a dual-socket, single-piece embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 9 illustrates a dual-socket, dual-piece embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus and system having anelectrical input and multiple audio/video inputs and outputs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus,systems, and methods for running power from an existing electricaloutlet up the inside of a wall to an enclosure mounted behind or near awall-mounted television or audio/video rack. Alternative embodimentsprovide apparatus, systems and methods for transferring audio/videocontent from a content source near the floor of a room, up inside of awall to an enclosure mounted behind or near a wall-mounted television.More particularly, the various embodiments described herein provide forthe installation and use of a UL-listed, in-wall power extensionapparatus that may be safely and legally installed and used without workor inspection by a licensed electrician.

The embodiments described herein comprise input and output enclosuresand wiring therebetween. The output enclosure is to be mounted adjacentto a first wall opening located behind or near to a wall-mountedpresentation device. The input enclosure is to be mounted adjacent to asecond wall opening located on the same wall, somewhere below thepresentation device and preferably near an outlet in the room. Wheninstalled, the wiring is to run inside the wall between the input andoutput enclosures. Power may then be routed from an already-existingelectrical outlet in the room through the input enclosure, up throughwiring in the wall and through the output enclosure to the presentationdevice. A variety of embodiments are configured to similarly transportaudio/video content from a content source to the presentation device byutilizing at least one audio/video input connector, audio/video cabling,and at least one audio/video output connector.

An in-wall view of an embodiment of an in-wall extension apparatussystem is illustrated in FIG. 1. An appliance 104 mounts to wall 101. Inat least one embodiment, the appliance 104 is a presentation device,such as a television or computer monitor, that is operable to displayaudio/video content. The appliance 104 may also comprise a plurality ofelectronics devices including, but not limited to, one or morewall-mounted speakers, a set-top box, a receiver, or an optical diskplayer such as a Blu-ray™ or DVD player. The appliance 104 is powered bypower source 103, and power source 103 is electrically connected to theappliance 104 by in-wall extension apparatus 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the extension apparatus 110 of FIG.1 in greater detail. The extension apparatus 110A includes an outputenclosure 201 and an input enclosure 202 and mechanisms for mounting(not shown in FIG. 2) the input and output enclosures adjacent topre-cut wall openings (also not shown in FIG. 2). The input enclosure202 includes at least one electrical input connector 203 configured toelectrically couple with a power source 103, as shown in FIG. 1. Theoutput enclosure 201 includes at least one electrical output connector204 configured to electrically couple with an appliance 104, such as apresentation device (See FIG. 1). Electrical wiring 205 runs between theinput and output enclosures 201 and 202, connecting the electrical inputconnector 203 to the electrical output connector 204, as shown in FIG.2. The electrical wiring 205 may be encased in an insulating material215 made from a material that is listed for in-wall use. In oneembodiment, the insulating tube 215 may be constructed of PVC. Inanother embodiment, it may be a length of a metallic substance.

In at least one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the extension apparatus 110Ais a single-piece device with all openings sealed. In this embodiment,the apparatus 110A comprises a concealed, in-wall portion 210 that isnon-detachably connected to an exposed, in-room portion 211. The in-wallportion 210 comprises input and output enclosures 201 and 202, one ormore electrical input connectors 203, one or more electrical outputconnectors 204, and electrical wiring 205 therebetween. The exposed,in-room portion 210 comprises a length of electrical wiring 214 coupledto the electrical input connector 203 and also coupled to a male plugmember 212, which can be plugged into an existing electrical outlet inthe room to transfer power through the apparatus 110A to the appliance104. The in-room portion 211 may resemble an extension cord, but in thesingle-piece embodiment depicted by FIG. 2, the length of electricalwiring 214 is non-detachably affixed to the input enclosure 202.

The entire in-wall portion 210 of the apparatus 110A may be hard-wired,molded, and sealed such that it is impenetrable to air, dust and/ormoisture, and resistant to excessive heat. It may be encased or sealedwith any type of fire and safety code compliant material, including, butnot limited to, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene,fluorinated ethylene propylene (Teflon EVP™), and other plastics andrubbers, as well as metallic substances, such as aluminum, steel orstainless steel. In at least one embodiment, all connections between thewiring, cabling, and various connectors may be internal to the apparatusand completely inaccessible to the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates an in-room perspective of the mounted systemincluding upper and lower wall openings 301 and 302, the outputenclosure 201, the input enclosure 202, an electrical outlet 103, and apresentation device 104. In FIG. 3, the broken-line showing of outputenclosure 201, first opening 301, and second opening 302 indicates thatthese features are not actually visible to a user in this embodimentonce the installation process is complete, as the output enclosure 201and the upper wall opening 301 are covered by presentation device 104,and the lower opening 302 is covered by the input enclosure 202.

The presentation device 104 or other appliance (not pictured) willtypically mount in front of or adjacent to the output enclosure 201, asshown in FIG. 3. Electrical outlet 103 may be a power device having anynumber of power receptacles, operating at any appropriate voltage. Inthe United States the electrical outlet may be a standard A/C 120 Vpower outlet having two power receptacles. In a different embodiment, itmay also be a power surge protector.

The input enclosure 202 is configured to mount adjacent to a first wallopening 302, while the output enclosure 201 is configured to mountadjacent to a second wall opening 301 on a wall. In at least oneembodiment, the first and second openings may be on the same wall.However, it is to be appreciated that they may also be on differentwalls. For instance, the first and second openings may exist on oppositesides of a corner of a room, on opposite sides of a wall in differentrooms, and/or exist on different floors within a home.

The presentation device may mount in front of or adjacent to the outputenclosure 201. It may be electrically coupled to the electrical outputconnector 204 (not pictured in FIG. 3) in the output enclosure 201. Theelectrical wiring 205 (also not pictured in FIG. 3) runs inside of thewall, between the input and output enclosures 201 and 202.

The enclosures 201 and 202 may be sized appropriately relative to theholes such that the enclosures, when mounted, will completely cover andconceal the wall openings 301 and 302. The enclosures may be made ofjunction boxes, electrical cut-in boxes, or substantially rigid moldedmaterials having a variety of shapes and/or sizes, including but notlimited to, square, rectangular, elliptical, and circular. Theenclosures may be identical in shape and/or size, or they may be shapedand/or sized differently from one another. The enclosures may be madeout of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, aluminum,steel, stainless steel, and other plastics, rubbers or metallicsubstances.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart providing a method of installation for the in-wallextension apparatus. The method will be described with reference to theextension apparatus of FIGS. 1-3. However, it is to be appreciated thatthe method depicted in FIG. 4 may not be the sole method of installationfor the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3. Additionally, embodiments of theextension apparatus may exist for which the method of FIG. 4 isinappropriate. FIG. 4 may include other operations not illustrated forthe sake of brevity.

In operation 401, two openings are cut into a wall. This operation maybe performed by the homeowner, occupant, or other capable individual(the “Installer”). The first, upper hole may be cut on the wall wherethe presentation device 104 or other appliance is to be mounted. It maybe positioned near to or behind the presentation device 104 orappliance, as shown by opening 301 in FIG. 3. This hole may be closeenough to the presentation device 104 or other appliance such that thewires and/or cabling connecting to the presentation device or appliancemay reach the power and audio/video receptacles in the output enclosure201 when mounted adjacent to wall opening 301. In some embodiments, itmay be desirable that the upper wall opening 301 be cut behind thewall-mounted presentation device 104, or as close to it as possible, inaccordance with desired design criteria in order to conceal any wiringassociated with the presentation device 104 or other appliance.

The second, lower wall opening 302 may be cut lower-down on the samewall, nearer to an electrical outlet. It at least one embodiment, theopening may be cut low enough that it may be more easily hidden fromview by furniture in the room. In a different embodiment, the loweropening may be cut into a different wall than the upper opening. Forexample, the two openings may exist near to a corner of the room, onopposite sides of the corner.

The distance between the upper opening 301 and the lower opening 302 maybe less than the total length of the cabling between the input andoutput enclosures. In at least one embodiment the Installer may cut thelower opening 302 within or very near to the same vertical plane as theupper opening 301 in order to provide easier installation.

In operation 402, the input enclosure 202 is inserted through the upperopening 301, and the electrical wiring 205 is fed into the wall. Toperform this operation, the Installer may position the input enclosure202 such that it may be inserted in through the upper wall opening 301and, keeping a secure hold on the output enclosure 201, feed the inputenclosure 202 and wiring 205 into the wall 101.

In operation 403, the input enclosure 202 is extracted from the loweropening 301. After enough cabling has been inserted into the wall, theInstaller may fish out the input enclosure 202 through the lower opening301. In one embodiment, the Installer may use a tool to assist inreaching the wiring 205 within the wall and extracting the inputenclosure 202 from the lower opening 301.

In operation 404, the input and output enclosure 201 and 202 are securedadjacent to the wall. After threading the input enclosure 202 throughthe upper opening 301 and out of the lower opening 302, the input andoutput enclosures 201 and 202 may be mounted tightly into place withinor adjacent to the upper and lower openings, 301 and 302, respectively.

In operation 405, the apparatus is powered by plugging the exposed,in-wall portion of the device into wall outlet 103.

The upper and lower openings 301 and 302 may be of a predetermined shapeand size. They may be identical to one another, or unique from eachother. To perform the method of FIG. 4, the upper opening 301 may besized large enough for the input enclosure 202 to pass through it whenoriented in one or more directions. The lower hole 202 may also be largeenough for the input enclosure 202 to pass through it when oriented inone or more directions.

In one embodiment, the size and shape of the openings may be provided tothe user in an instruction manual. In another, the Installer may beprovided with one or more stencils that may be traced onto a wall,marking the boundaries along which the Installer may cut to make eachrespective hole. The upper and lower holes 301 and 302 may be sized andshaped such that the input and output enclosures 201 and 202 may bemounted in place adjacent to each respective hole. In at least oneembodiment the output and input enclosures 201 and 202 may be mountedwithin the upper and lower openings 301 and 302, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates one possible embodiment for mounting an enclosure.Both FIGS. 5 and 6 depict the output enclosure 201, but it is to beappreciated that the input enclosure 202 may be mounted similarly. In atleast one embodiment, the enclosure may be a box with a flange on oneside with one or more holes for attaching the enclosure, adjacent to orwithin the wall, to the nearest stud. In another embodiment, theenclosure may have a flange on its face that may be threaded directlyinto the wall. Mounting members 502 and 503 may be threaded members,nails, drywall anchors, or other mounting members.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side-profile view of an enclosure as it is beingthreaded into place adjacent to opening 301. In at least one embodiment,the enclosure may have a mounting feature 601 such as a protruded lip,edge, or affixed cover plate that has one or more holes configured tosecure to the enclosure to the wall via one or more mounting members.The protruded lip, edge, or affixed cover plate may effectively concealthe gap between the wall opening and the mounted enclosure. In bothFIGS. 5 and 6, the arrows depict the distance and direction that theenclosure may be moved, relative to the illustrated position, to beproperly mounted in place.

FIG. 7 depicts a dual-piece embodiment of the extension apparatus thatcomprises a concealed, in-wall portion 210 and an exposed, detachablein-room portion 211. The in-wall portion of the dual-piece embodimentdiffers from the one-piece embodiment (described above with reference toFIG. 2) in that the electrical input connector 203 comprises a male plug702 that serves as a power inlet. In addition, the in-room portion ofthe apparatus 211 comprises a power cord 701 that may be detachablyaffixed to the male plug power inlet 702. To power the apparatus, themale plug end 703 of the power cord 701 may be plugged into an existingelectrical outlet 103, and the female end 704 of the power cord 701 maybe plugged into the male plug power-inlet 702, routing power from theelectrical outlet 103, up through the wall 101 to the output enclosure201.

The power cord 701 may be sized according to any appropriate gauge,depending on the desired criteria. In at least one embodiment it may bemade of or encased in a different material than the concealed, in-wallportion of the apparatus. It is to be appreciated that the power cord701 comprises the exposed in-room portion of the device and maytherefore be exempt from certain electrical and building regulationsthat pertain to components used within the walls of a home.

In practice, the power cord may be purchased as part of a kit with thein-wall extension apparatus or be purchased separately. However, it isto be appreciated that the in-wall portion of the apparatus 210 may behard-wired, sealed, and certified by a listing laboratory for in-walluse.

In at least one embodiment, there exists two or more electrical outputconnectors disposed within the output enclosure 201, as shown in bothFIGS. 8 and 9. These output electrical connectors may comprise femalepower receptacles 801 and 802, in parallel alignment with a singleelectrical input connector 203 within the input enclosure. In theembodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the exposed, in-room portion of theapparatus 211 may further comprise an electrical plate cover 803, whichfunctions to prevent an electrical circuit in the home from overloadingthrough electrical outlet 103 when two or more appliances are pluggedinto power receptacles 801 and 802 within the output enclosure 201. Theelectrical plate cover 803 will effectively block off one of the powerreceptacles in electrical outlet 103, prohibiting use of the unusedreceptacle 805 and protecting the system from overload.

FIG. 8 illustrates a one-piece embodiment of the apparatus having atleast two power receptacles 801 and 802 in the output enclosure. In thisembodiment, the electrical plate cover 803 is affixed to the male plug212 end of the wire 214.

In contrast, FIG. 9 depicts a two-piece embodiment of the apparatushaving at least two power receptacles 801 and 802 in the outputenclosure. In this embodiment, the electrical plate cover 803 is affixedto the male plug end 703 of power cord 701.

The embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 permit the apparatus to power multiplewall-mounted appliances while mitigating the risk of power overload tothe electrical system of the home. For example, the user may wish topower a wall mounted-television and also a device positioned on awall-mounted audio/video rack, such as a set-top box, speaker, opticaldisk drive, or receiver. Both appliances may plug into power receptacleslocated on the output enclosure 201. The electrical plate coverprohibits the user from plugging additional appliances into theelectrical outlet 103, protecting the circuit from overload.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus that is configured totransfer audio/video content from a content source 1008 to apresentation device 104. One or more audio/video input connectors(1000-1006) may be disposed within the input enclosure 202, eachconfigured to couple with a content source. Examples of content sourcesinclude, but are not limited to, set-top boxes, optical disk drives suchas Blu-Ray™ or DVD players, receivers, and gaming consoles. Examples ofaudio/video connectors include, but are not limited to, F-connectors1006, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI™) connectors 1000,Ethernet™ ports 1005, optical digital jacks, multi-channel analog audioports, component video connectors, composite video connectors (1001,1002, and 1003), audio ports (1017-1018), S-video connectors, VGAconnectors, SVGA connectors, and USB ports.

Each audio/video connector (1000-1006, 1018) disposed within the inputenclosure 202 is communicatively coupled to the first end of acorresponding audio/video transmission cable 1007. The audio/videotransmission cables 1007 may be encased, with the electrical wiring 205,within the insulating material 215, and extend between the inputenclosure 202 and the output enclosure 201. Examples of audio/videotransmission cables may include, but are not limited to, coaxial cables,multi-channel analog audio cables, optical cables, HDMI™ cables,Ethernet™ cords, USB cords, component and composite video cables.

The second end of each audio/video transmission cable 1007 iscommunicatively coupled with a corresponding audio/video outputconnector (1009-1017) affixed within the output enclosure 201. Eachaudio/video output connector may be identical to its correspondingaudio/video input connector. For example, HDMI™ input port 1000 may becoupled with an HDMI™ output port 1009. This configuration permits theuser to bridge the HDMI™ connection between a Blu-Ray™ player 1008 andan HDTV by connecting an HDMI™ cable between a Blu-Ray™ player 1008 andan HDMI™ port 1000 in the input enclosure 202 and also connecting asecond HDMI™ cable between an HDMI™ port 1009 in the output enclosure201 and an HDMI™ port in the presentation device 104.

Similarly, RCA cables have, in most cases, a color-coded triad of plugson each end. Some embodiments of the apparatus may therefore includered, yellow, and white female RCA connectors in the input enclosure 202,each coupled to an audio/video transmission cable 1007 that is alsocoupled, in the output enclosure 201, to a female RCA connector of thesame color. In this embodiment, a first set of RCA cables is necessaryto connect a DVD player 1008 to the RCA connectors (1001, 1002, and1003) in the input enclosure and a second set of RCA cables is necessaryto couple the RCA connectors in the output enclosure (1013, 1014, and1015) with the presentation device 104.

It is not required that a pair of corresponding first and secondaudio/video connectors necessarily be identical. In at least oneembodiment, there exists a conversion module within the apparatus. Theconversion module may be included within the wiring 1007 or withineither or both enclosures, 201 and 202. The conversion module mayconvert a first input video format to a second video format to be outputon the presentation device 104. In such a case, a pair of correspondingfirst and second audio/video connectors may not be identical. Forexample, many computer monitors may be capable of outputting anaudio/video stream in VGA format, while some televisions may requireinput in SVGA format. To accommodate this configuration, the inputenclosure 201 may include a VGA connector communicatively coupled to aconversion module in the wiring 1007 that is communicatively coupled toan SVGA connector in the output enclosure 202.

In at least one embodiment there is only one pair of coupled audio/videoconnectors in the apparatus. For example, the output enclosure may havean electrical socket 1010 and an HDMI™ port 1009, while the inputenclosure has only a power inlet 702 and a corresponding HDMI™ port1000. In at least one embodiment, there will be several pairs of coupledaudio/video connectors in the apparatus. For example, one embodiment mayhave ports for electrical, Ethernet™, HDMI™, and composite video plugs.

The length of audio/video cables 1007 and electrical wiring 205 betweenthe input and output enclosures 201 and 202 may be approximately uniformfor all such wires and cables within a single apparatus. However, thelength of all such wires and cables, as a collective group, may vary indifferent embodiments, depending on the desired design criteria. Forexample, televisions mounted a few feet from the ground may utilizeextension apparatuses with cabling two to four feet in length. Incontrast, televisions mounted further up on a wall may utilize extensionapparatuses with much longer cabling. It is to be appreciated that thelength of cabling may equal or slightly exceed the distance betweenfirst and second wall openings 301 and 302.

In at least one embodiment the electrical wiring and audio/video cablingextending between input and output electrical and audio/video connectorsis to be insulated according to standards set by the NEC as well asapplicable regional building and electrical codes. Products sold inother jurisdictions may be insulated in accordance with regionalstandards and building codes. All electrical wiring and audio/videocabling may be bound together and may be threaded through a singleinsulating material 215 of a material and thickness that is compliantwith applicable national and regional building and electrical standardsfor the given use.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalentstherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An in-wall extension apparatus comprising: afirst enclosure having a first predetermined shape configured to fitadjacent to a first wall opening and a first mounting mechanismconfigured to mount the first enclosure adjacent to the first wallopening; at least one input electrical connector, disposed within thefirst enclosure, configured to electrically couple with an appliance; asecond enclosure having a second predetermined shape configured to fitadjacent to a second wall opening and a second mounting mechanismconfigured to mount the second enclosure adjacent to the second wallopening; at least one output electrical connector, disposed within thesecond enclosure, configured to electrically couple to at least onepower source; and electrical-wiring configured to transfer power fromthe at least one power source to the appliance; wherein at least anin-wall portion of the apparatus is a single, molded, hard-wired unitwith all connections sealed.
 2. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim1, wherein the apparatus is insulated with polyvinyl chloride.
 3. Theextension apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one outputelectrical connector has a plurality of power receptacles, each coupledto the electrical wiring and in parallel arrangement with the at leastone electrical output connector, wherein the electrical input connectoris configured to couple to a first receptacle of a power source andfurther comprises a cover plate configured to cover a second powerreceptacle of the power source.
 4. The in-wall extension apparatus ofclaim 1, where the at least one electrical input connector comprises atleast one male plug.
 5. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim 1,where the at least one electrical input connector is attached to a wireconfigured to plug into a wall.
 6. The in-wall extension apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a detachable extension cord having a firstend and a second end, the first end being configured to detachablycouple to the at least one electrical input connector, the second endhaving a male plug.
 7. The in-wall extension apparatus of claim 1comprising: at least one audio/video input connector, disposed withinthe first enclosure, configured to communicatively couple to a firstelectrical appliance; at least one audio/video output connector,disposed within the second enclosure, configured to communicativelycouple to a second electrical appliance; and audio/video cablingoperable to transfer information between the first and the secondappliances.
 8. A system for providing power to a wall-mountedpresentation device comprising: a presentation device mounted on a wallat a first height above the floor of a room; an in-wall extensioncomprising: an output enclosure having a first mounting mechanismconfigured to mount the output enclosure to a first wall opening in thewall, wherein the first wall opening is proximal to the wall-mountedpresentation device; at least one electrical output connector, disposedwithin the output enclosure, configured to electrically couple with thepresentation device; at least one audio/video output connector, disposedwithin the output enclosure, configured to communicatively couple withthe presentation device; an input enclosure having a second mountingmechanism configured to mount the input enclosure to a second wallopening, wherein the second wall opening is located at a second heightabove the floor, wherein the second height is less than the firstheight; at least one electrical input connector, disposed within theinput enclosure, configured to electrically couple with an electricaloutlet; at least one audio/video input connector, disposed within theinput enclosure, configured to communicatively couple with a contentsource; electrical wiring electrically coupled to the electrical inputconnector at a first end and electrically coupled to the electricaloutput connector at a second end; audio/video cabling communicativelycoupled to the audio/video input connector at a first end andcommunicatively coupled to the audio/video output connector at a secondend; and a content source communicatively coupled to the at least oneaudio/video input connector; wherein at least a portion of the in-wallextension is a single, hard-wired unit with all connections sealed, andthe at least one electrical input connector is detachably coupled to anextension cord configured to plug into a wall.
 9. The in-wall extensionapparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is insulated with polyvinylchloride.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one electricaloutput connector has a plurality of power receptacles, each coupled tothe electrical wiring and in parallel arrangement with the at least oneelectrical input connector, and the extension cord is configured tocouple to a first receptacle of a power source and further comprises acover plate configured to cover a second power receptacle of the powersource.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one electricalinput connector comprises at least one male plug, and the extension cordcomprises a first end and a second end, the first end having a femalesocket configured to detachably couple with the at least one male plug,the second end having a male plug.
 12. An in-wall extension apparatuscomprising: a first enclosure having a first predetermined shape and afirst mounting mechanism configured to mount the first enclosure to awall first opening; at least one input connector, disposed within thefirst enclosure, configured to electrically couple with an appliance; asingle-piece second enclosure having a second predetermined shape and asecond mounting mechanism configured to mount the second enclosure to asecond wall opening; at least one output connector, disposed within thesecond enclosure, configured to electrically couple to at least onepower source; and electrical-wiring configured to transfer power fromthe power source to the appliance; wherein at least an in-wall portionof the apparatus is a single, hard-wired unit with all connectionssealed.